Hundreds rally at Capitol for same-sex marriage

(AP) — Activists and supporters gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday, the same day lawmakers returned to Springfield, to demand immediate action on a measure to make Illinois the next state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Five months after the legislation stalled in the Illinois House, hundreds turned out for the "March on Springfield," with many waving signs and flags in support. Also present were some of the state's top elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Gov. Pat Quinn.

"This is our hour, this is our moment," Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, said while describing the legislation as the "most important civil rights measure" facing the state.

Legislators returned to work with the potential for several hefty issues on the agenda, including ending gridlock on the state's nearly $100 billion pension problem, mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes and incentives for companies to stay in Illinois.

But on Tuesday activists' focus remained on the gay marriage issue. Those who oppose it — including mega churches in the Chicago area — vowed to protest the issue in Springfield on Wednesday, starting with a prayer vigil.

Earlier in the year, a same sex marriage bill passed the state Senate but stalled in the House, where it needs 60 votes for passage. House Speaker Michael Madigan said in late September that about a dozen votes were still needed.

The bill's main sponsor, Rep. Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat, has been mum on the vote count or when the matter is expected for a vote.

"I'm keeping an open mind," he said.

Meanwhile, advocates have said there's been significant progress. After the matter wasn't called for a vote in the House, activists and gay rights groups revamped their campaign by hiring a top union lobbyist, organizers across the state and the former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party.

"We're within striking distance, but I'm not making a prediction because were promised this was going to happen in May," said Chicago gay marriage advocate Rick Garcia. He estimated there were about 55 "yes" votes.

Not in attendance at Tuesday's rally was House Speaker Michael Madigan, who supports the measure but has yet to have the bill called in his chamber.

"Speaker Madigan, put your House in order," one sign at the rally read.

However, the measure has been fought hard by church groups, notably high-profile pastors around Chicago who argue that marriage should remain between a man and a woman. A coalition of pastors has released robocalls detailing their arguments and citing Scripture.